Bid On Wetland Comes In Low

The low bid for construction of an artificial wetland in east Orange County to absorb treated sewage came in Tuesday nearly $3 million below the $7.4 million estimate.

''It's well below expectations,'' said Public Works Director Bob Haven.

K & L Contractors of Killarney bid $4.5 million for the project, which involves planting thousands of trees on 1,200 acres near Christmas.

The highest of 11 bids was more than $9.3 million. The city council must approve the awarding of the contract.

Treated wastewater from Orlando's Iron Bridge regional sewage treatment plant in south Seminole County will be pumped through the wetland and cleansed before it flows into the St. Johns River. Bids for the pipeline and pumping station -- expected to cost about $20 million -- will be opened in two weeks.